*2.7. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)*

SEM analysis can offer a comprehensive depiction of the surface texture of the film, which can help to determine its roughness, porosity, and other surface properties. SEM images of the prepared film samples with and without the addition of MOEO are presented in Figure 3. The surface morphology of the control film sample was observed as homogeneous, with cracks and microscopic particles all over the surface. PC20 film sample with 0.1% concentration of MOEO showed a rough surface with fewer cracks and particles across the surface. However, PC30 and PC40 film samples with the higher MOEO concentrations of 0.15 and 0.2%, relatively had homogeneous structures, and the oil was uniformly dispersed in the film matrix. Tween 80 stabilizes the oil-in-water emulsion, and the uniform dispersion of the oil in the film matrix could be due to the addition of the highest concentrations of Tween 80 in the PC 40 film sample. Overall, the SEM analysis revealed that films loaded with different concentrations of MOEO showed a more homogeneous structure with less numbers of particles, cracks, and pores as compared to the control films sample. The observed surface properties of the films may be attributed to the

intermolecular interaction among the constituents that contribute to film formation, such as polymers, oil, and plasticizer.

*Gels* **2023**, *9*, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 14

**Figure 3.** Morphological characteristics of B (control), PC20 (containing 0.1% MOEO), PC30 (containing 0.15% of MOEO), and PC40 (containing 0.2% MOEO). **Figure 3.** Morphological characteristics of B (control), PC20 (containing 0.1% MOEO), PC30 (containing 0.15% of MOEO), and PC40 (containing 0.2% MOEO).
